The last month of summer just started and everybody is still on vacation, we know. But you know what time is it? It’s Christmas tiiiiime!
What we mean is now it’s the best time to start planning your holiday marketing campaigns. This is actually what marketing strategy means, preparing the December campaigns in Q3, even though it is pretty hard to think about snowflakes when there are 30 degrees Celsius outside.
Why is Christmas so important in marketing? The holiday season is one of the most profitable times of year for many brands, especially for retailers. Holiday sales across both brick-and-mortar and online channels rose to $964.4 billion in the November through December 2023 period in the U.S. only.
So, in order to have a smooth Q4 and a Merry Christmas, you should really start preparing the content you will need for the end of the year. But don’t worry, we are here to help. Keep reading this article to get a starting point for an efficient marketing strategy that can result in increased sales during the holidays.
Look back.
In order to start with a well-thought-out strategy that provides a roadmap for your holiday marketing efforts, you should analyze last year’s actions and results. You should review the channels used, the content approach, the feedback received and how well everything went. Then ask yourself what did you do well, how can you improve your strategy and what can you learn from the mistakes that were made.
Flip the page of the calendar.
Gather the copywriters, the designers, everybody. Prepare the content calendar, write the posts, do the photoshootings, prepare everything like it’s the end of november. Your teammates will thank you later, even though now they might be a little annoyed. This way you will avoid the chaos of Q4 and you will be able to have everything properly planned and checked.
Don’t forget to include in your calendar the proper channels, topics, dates and who is responsible for what. Also, you can already add the tasks in ClickUp, just to be sure nothing is forgotten meanwhile.
Add some holiday magic in your content.
Be sure to create a festive atmosphere that can enhance the customer’s experience. You can think about creating limited-edition packaging that reflects the holiday spirit, offer holiday bundles with special packaging or gift wrapping to increase perceived value and encourage larger purchases, or even launch a holiday themed product. Sometimes you have to take that extra mile in order to surprise and attract the attention of your clients.
Think about this: how can you make your products the perfect idea for a christmas present?
Optimize your website.
A well-optimized website ensures a smooth shopping experience, which is crucial during the high-traffic holiday season. Ensure your website loads quickly by optimizing images and leveraging content delivery networks (CDNs). With more consumers shopping on mobile devices, make sure your website is responsive and user-friendly on all devices.
Also, prepare festive elements for your website, such as holiday banners, themed product pages, and special countdown timers.
Contact the right influencers.
If you would like to collaborate with influencers, don’t wait till it’s too late to negotiate with the ones that are aligned to your brand. Reach out to influencers well in advance to secure their participation and give them ample time to create high-quality content.
You can work with influencers to develop holiday-themed content, such as product reviews, unboxings, and giveaway contests.
Our conclusion.
Starting your holiday marketing planning in August ensures you are well-prepared for the busy season ahead. By organizing everything, you can create a seamless and successful holiday campaign. Remember, early planning not only reduces stress but also positions your brand for higher sales and a more joyful holiday season.
If you need help in crafting the perfect strategy for your brand, leave us a message.
